Charges Dropped Against Cutié's "Nemesis"
Trespassing charges dropped for man who claims he was set up by embattled priest
By BRIAN HAMACHER
Updated 7:15 AM EST, Fri, Jul 10, 2009
The man who claims he was one engaged to the woman who made Father Alberto Cutié leave the Catholic church won't have to face criminal trespassing charges, but may still get deported.
Maxi Ratunuman says he and Ruhama Canellis were a happy couple until the passionate priest came along. Ratunuman says Cutié wanted him out of the picture, so much so that the priest and Canellis to have him busted by Biscayne Park police in June on the trespassing charges and a charge of having an expired license.
Yesterday, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's office dropped charges against the 44-year-old native of Indonesia. Now he'll be transferred to Immigration authorities to begin deportation proceedings.
Ratunuman claims he and Canellis lived together for three years until Cutié and Canellis became romantically involved.
Cutié was relieved of his duties as pastor of St. Francis de Sales church in Miami Beach in April after photos of he and Canellis getting romantic on a beach were published in a magazine. In June, Cutié announced he would be leaving the Catholic Church and joining the Episcopal faith. He married Canellis in a civil ceremony on June 16.
Ratunuman has filed a civil lawsuit against Cutié, the Biscayne Park PD and Ruhama Canellis for false arrest, malicious prosecution and civil theft. Cutié has denied any wrongdoing.
"This recent development does not in any way change the fact that the complaint against Father Albert and Ruhama Canellis is bogus and will soon be dismissed," Cutié attorney Robert J. Fiore told the Miami Herald.
First Published: Jul 10, 2009 5:56 AM EST
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